"My 10 year old Shi-poo was put on Prednisone. After a few weeks she seemed improved, so I took her off prednisone but in about 3-4 days her symptoms came right back and I had to put her back on the meds. She is driving me crazy on this medication, constantly begging for food and acting like a maniac!! She is not like my little dog that I love, what can I do to help her?? HELP!!"
The story above is a common example of what we hear from pet owners dealing with a pet on prednisone. The side effects of prednisone for dogs can range from mild to severe, but in any case, the medication has many undesirable side effects.
Common Side Effects of Prednisone
- Excessive Thirst and Hunger
- Diarrhea and/or Vomiting
- Joint inflammation
- Anxious behavior or other behavioral changes
How to Handle the Side Effects of Prednisone
LIMIT PREDNISONE
The best way to limit the side effects of prednisone for your dog is to reduce the duration of the medication, however, this is not always possible. We discuss this idea more below.
PROVIDE NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT
With nutritional support, the side effects of prednisone can be reduced during therapy, and in some cases, you may be able to get your dog off prednisone altogether. We recommend a nutritional strategy that involves supporting the gut and discouraging toxin and yeast build up. Supply your dog with a good probiotic and digestive enzyme supplement to support the gut, and remove grains from the diet. If possible, feed raw.
HANDLING THE BEHAVIORAL CHANGES
Side effects of prednisone can include the following behavioral changes:
- Agression
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
Your dog is not feeling "right" while on prednisone. He knows his body is in a state of imbalance and this results in behavioral changes which can be almost unbearable. Counteract the side effects of prednisone with nutrition and a few adjustments during the day which we've listed below.
HOW TO HANDLE EXCESSIVE THIRST AND HUNGER
For thirsty dogs, make sure there is fresh water accessible for your dog, that's easy. But for a dog that acts like he's starving, it can be difficult to keep him satisfied. If you feed your dog a dry kibble, the thirst may be even more emphasized, so try to feed a raw diet or provide extra water in the food.
For extra hungry dogs, rest assured your dog isn't really more hungry, or needing extra food during this time. Allowing your dog to chew something safe and healthy is a good way to handle both the behavioral side effects and excessive hunger that comes with prednisone. Also, a few healthy snacks throughout the day can help or breaking up his feedings into a few extra meals is a good idea.
DIARRHEA, VOMITING, AND STOMACH ISSUES
Prednisone, like other prescription medications, can strip the gut of healthy flora. The result expresses itself as a dissatisfied feeling for your dog, and if he experiences diarrhea or vomiting, that's even worse.
If possible, boost your dog's gut health with probiotics for one week prior to starting prednisone therapy. If your dog is already on prednisone and experiencing the side effects, replace the healthy bacteria as soon as possible. Probiotic Miracle®, in daily therapeutic doses has been very effective for dogs. Supply the probiotics twice per day, or at each meal, rather than just once.
How To Reduce The Need For Prednisone
REDUCE OR ELIMINATE ALLERGENS
Allergens can be caused by diet, and there are also inhalant allergies. Identify the allergen and eliminate it.
SUPPORT THE BODY WITH NUTRITION
Sometimes prednisone is a necessary medication, but in many cases, the need for prednisone can be avoided with some extra care in nutrition. While prednisone may offer an immediate relief for your dog, the side effects cause another array of problems. Nutritional treatment may take longer to improve the underlying condition of your dog, but, the results are long lasting with no negative side effects.
Below is a full list of support remedies to help your dog avoid needing prednisone therapy. Allow 8 weeks for the full effect of nutritional therapy to stabilize the body.
- Probiotics: Support healthy immune function via the gut. We believe the most important supplement for you pet is probiotics. (Probiotic Miracle®)
- Enzymes: A quality plant-sourced multi-enzyme relieves eases stress on the body and helps breakdown toxin buildup. Enzymes are very effective at breaking down irritants like yeast, fungi, and bacteria, and, in effect reducing the need for prednisone. (Enzyme Miracle®)
- Fish Oil: The essential fatty acids in a pure fish oil, like Celavin† provides a wide range of wellness benefits including normalizing inflammation, as well as improved cardiovascular, brain, and neural health. For a complete list of benefits, read: Essential Nutrient Your Pet May Be Missing.
- Nutrients: Supply antioxidant compounds, bioflavonoids, vitamins C and E, selenium, and sulfur-containing amino acids, which are needed to protect the body from the tremendous increase in free radicals that occurs during an inflammatory response. (Dermix™)
Related: Understanding Probiotics for Pets: CFU, Species, and Dosage Explained
The four nutritional supplements listed above are what we consider a "Must Have" for basic dog wellness as they support foundational immune and systemic health. By adding these supplements to your dog's diet, you ensure more efficient bodily functions without any of the negative side effects that come from prednisone.
Product Snapshot: Nutritional Supplement "Must Haves"
Follow the link below for a list of must-haves when your dog is on prednisone, or to help avoid prednisone altogether: Prednisone for Dogs Alternatives
1 comment
My dog is on prednisone which was prescribe by a vet for a numerological condition. Since taking prednisone, she has started getting bald spots all over her legs and paws. The vet just states is a side effect of the meds. She is a Chihuahua with short hair and will have no hair at all if this continues. Do you have any suggestions for what I can do? She will be on these meds for the rest of her life.